Colgate University athletics will get a big boost from the construction of a new athletic facility, which should look something like this.Photo courtesy of Colgate University

More than 30 years after the fact, Colgate men's hockey coach Don Vaughan remembers his first glimpse of that school's Starr Rink.

The year was 1981, and Vaughan was playing for St. Lawrence at the time. Vaughan appreciated the charm of old college hockey barns, but...

"It was a basic rink,'' Vaughan said. "I remember the flooring under the bleachers was still kind of gravel. It didn't have permanent seating. They had bleacher seating. It didn't strike me as bare bones. It struck me as this is what a hockey rink is.''

Now, that categorization doesn't ring nearly as true as Division I programs across the country have poured funding into upgrading their facilities. And very soon, Starr Rink will look a lot more like what college hockey rinks are circa the 21st century.

Colgate's Board of Trustees recently voted in favor of building a new $37.8 million, 97,000-square-foot athletic facility, contingent on the receipt of $25 million in gifts. So far, commitments toward the project total $20.8 million.

Start of construction depends upon the raising of the final $4 million in donations, but Vaughan can squint his eyes and finally see his new arena taking shape.

"It means that the university is making a consistent and strong statement to our athletics in general,'' Vaughan said. "You need the resources to be a champion.''

The improvement's scope goes will beyond hockey. The new facility will be adjacent to Reid Athletic Center, and feature a hockey rink, locker rooms, training and meeting space and offices for coaches of the men's and women's ice hockey, lacrosse, and soccer programs.

"Our building is a bit of a throwback,'' Vaughan said. "When you start to look at the bigger picture, one of the first questions we get from kids (recruits) is, 'Is there going to be a new facility?''

Starr Rink will remain, but will be used for other activities such as practice. The current arena, which is 53 years old, got a facelift in 1990 but still remains a cramped venue for fans, players and coaches. The new arena will have the same capacity as the current one, roughly 2,200.

"It's one of those old rinks. It's got character,'' said Syracuse Crunch forward Kyle Wilson, a former Raiders star. "It's one of those things when it's your home rink, it's a great place to play. But I'm sure the away guys didn't like it too much.''

Vaughan, in his 20th season coaching Colgate, said he plans to stick around at least long enough to lead his team into its new digs. And he will do so with barely a look over his shoulder.

"I'm sure for some people there will be some nostalgia there,'' he said. "But with excitement of opening a new building after 53 years, the nostalgia will wane pretty quickly.''